Violence at JNU campus, JNUSU president injured in attack

The varsity has been seeing a standoff between the students and the administration over hike in hostel fees for over 70 days. Students even boycotted exams in protest, prompting the administration to send question papers to students through WhatsApp and email, a move condemned by the union.

IANS|

Last Updated: Jan 06, 2020, 04.21 PM IST

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JNU: Masked mob attacks students' Union President; many injured

NEW DELHI: Several students, including JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh, were badly injured in violence between ABVP and Left students on the varsity campus on Sunday evening. Outsiders were also reportedly involved.

Visuals from the spot showed a profusely bleeding Ghosh, who was reportedly hit over the eye with an iron rod. She was taken to a nearby hospital.

General Secretary Satish Chandra was also injured, and some teachers had also been allegedly assaulted.

According to reports from the spot, a mob of outsiders, brandishing lathis, from Munirka area had entered the campus. The miscreants have now reportedly fled.

Earlier, the Akhil Bhartiya Vidhayrthi Parishad (ABVP) accused Left students of vandalising the Periyar hostel of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and severely injuring various students present inside the hostel.

"Around four to five hundred members of the Left gathered around the Periyar hostel, vandalised the hostel and forcibly entered the hostel to thrash the ABVP activists inside," ABVP's JNU unit President Durgesh told IANS.

The ABVP claims its presidential candidate Manish Jangid was injured badly and may have suffered a fractured hand.

He further alleged that stones were also hurled at students which caused severe head injuries to some of them.

"They hurled stones, used batons to thrash students inside," he added. However, the JNUSU led by the Left student wing was quick to brush off claims and instead targeted the ABVP and the administration for spreading false narrative.

"The ABVP and administration have been targeting the students' protest against the fee hike. This is nothing but a false allegation to misguide students and the society," JNUSU General Secretary Satish Chandra told IANS.

According to officials, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Delhi police commissioner and enquired about situation in JNU.

HRD Ministry said that, "Acts of violence, anarchy will not be tolerated; JNU incident unfortunate and highly condemnable."

It has come to Ministry's notice that a group of masked people entered the JNU campus today, threw stones, damaged… https://t.co/XbFcQuwgUp

Meanwhile, several political leaders have expressed concerns over the brazen attacks on students in a premier university like the JNU.

The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, tweeted "Horrifying images from JNU — the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence. I unequivocally condemn the events of today".

Horrifying images from JNU — the place I know & remember was one for fierce debates & opinions but never violence.… https://t.co/YItijgf1cr

Priyanka Gandhi wrote on twitter, "Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and other weapons. Many had broken limbs and injuries on their heads. One student said the police kicked him several times on his head".

Wounded students at AIIMS trauma centre told me that goons entered the campus and attacked them with sticks and oth… https://t.co/3MmX4glndX

"I am so shocked to know about the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police should immediately stop violence and restore peace. How will the country progress if our students will not be safe inside univ campus?" Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet.

I am so shocked to know abt the violence at JNU. Students attacked brutally. Police shud immediately stop violence… https://t.co/1uYRhRq6J7